Ancient Irish History

As I complete research for my writing, I will post summaries here of topics I find interesting or significant. With a general focus on Irish history, they will cover historical sites across Ireland, ancient history topics (e.g. types of tombs or customs), and recent archaeological research.

If you have any feedback or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact via my contact page here. For more of my regular content see my Twitter feed. I try to regularly post about Irish history as well as my writing.

“Understanding ancient Ireland is not about learning facts or theories, but about understanding who we are today. The myths and legends of ancient Ireland challenge our myths and legends of today – the things we take for granted – providing us with a whole new perspective on who we are and where we’ve come from.”


Recent Posts


Image of Knowth passage tomb, a key site in Irish History

All Irish History Posts


Book Reviews


Further Resources

​My research draws on a mix of academic research, archaeological reports, primary source material, and site visits. But the world of ancient Irish history is much bigger than I could ever hope to cover. So for those who want to delve deeper, please see these top 5 resources I’d recommend:

1. Irish History Online
A continuously updated electronic bibliography hosted by the Royal Irish Academy, providing detailed references to publications on Irish history, making it an invaluable research tool.

2. FutureLearn – Irish History Courses
In collaboration with leading universities, FutureLearn offers free online courses that explore key events from early settlements to modern times, allowing learners to analyze historical events from diverse perspectives.

3. The Brehon Academy
Dedicated to reviving and teaching ancient Irish culture and society, this platform offers courses on early Irish law, culture, and societal structures, providing a deep dive into Ireland’s historical legal systems.

4. Corpus of Electronic Texts (CELT)
Hosted by University College Cork, CELT is an online database of contemporary and historical documents related to Irish history and culture, providing access to a wealth of primary sources.

5. Digital Medievalist – Learning Old Irish
For those interested in the linguistic aspects of ancient Irish history, this resource offers guidance on learning Old Irish, including recommended dictionaries and texts.